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How studios build successful games.

Insights for studios — playtesting, community, creators, and growth.

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Latest posts

  1. Signals of Success (Part 5): X and Instagram

    By FirstLook Team

    How public chatter on X and Instagram acts as an early market signal, and the three metrics studios should track to turn social discussion into a real launch predictor.

    Growth4 min read

  5. How many Steam reviews does your game need at launch?

    By FirstLook Team

    How many Steam reviews does your game need at launch? 10 unlocks your visible score, but velocity and community are what really drive launch-week visibility. A practical breakdown of the thresholds, the myth of the 'algorithm trigger', and how to earn those reviews on purpose.

    Playtesting6 min read

  6. What publishers actually look for in a playtest

    By FirstLook Team

    What publishers really want from your playtest data: retention curves, sample quality, sentiment with context, and the wishlist intent that closes deals. A practical guide for studios pitching publishers.

    Playtesting5 min read

  7. How to build a game community from scratch

    By FirstLook Team

    A practical guide to building a loyal game community before your game ships, anchored in Discord, fueled by playtests, converted into Steam wishlists.

    Community Management5 min read

  8. Player.gg x Summer Game Fest 2026

    By FirstLook Team

    Player.gg is an Official Player Destination for Summer Game Fest 2026. Every featured game gets a page where players discover, wishlist, follow, and apply for playtests.

    Product2 min read

  9. Meet FirstLook Agent: an AI sidekick for your player data

    By FirstLook Team

    Meet FirstLook Agent, an AI sidekick built into the FirstLook player relationship platform. Use plain-English prompts to re-engage players, draft announcements, and act on community signals across every channel.

    Product3 min read

  10. Signals of Success (Part 4): Media and Press Coverage

    By FirstLook Team

    How media and press coverage acts as a market barometer for indie games, and the four metrics studios should track to turn editorial pickup into an actionable launch signal.

    Creators4 min read

  11. What Is a Player CRM? Guide for Game Studios

    By FirstLook Team

    Learn what a player CRM is, why game studios need one, and how to use it to build retention, grow your community, and increase long-term revenue.

    Product12 min read

  12. How to Get Players for Your Game

    By FirstLook Team

    Learn how to get players for your game with tactics that work: community building, creator campaigns, playtests, and post-launch growth strategies.

    Growth13 min read

  13. 12 Game Funds Investing in Indie Games

    By FirstLook Team

    A list of 12 Game Funds investing in Indie Games, updated for 2026 with the newest indie-focused funds.

    Funding & Publishing4 min read